I’m a shoe. More specifically I’m a New Balance 590 AT trail running shoe, but you can call me “N” for short. I’m here because my new owner has high expectations for me. My conception began in some factory probably located in the northeast United States, but a shoe’s life actually begins once purchased and worn. My owner purchased me to replace two failures. Those failures were two different pair of Saucony Cohesion 9 running shoes and both pair either deformed or disintegrated in two months time — much to my owner’s disappointment. A little research and $50 later I arrived with the promise of documented adventures.

My goal:

longevity: My lifetime longevity goal is 6 months or three times the period of the previous pair of shoes. Anything less than 6 months is a failure.

durability: I will be durable and develop no holes, tears, deformation or significant component breakdown within the next 6 months from normal activity. Replacement should be based on sole wear not decomposition.

comfort: I will be comfortable on all trail, street and indoor terrain without producing blisters, overheating or pinches.

support: I will provide good overall foot support with no heel or arch breakdown.

My owner will take me to places I could never imagine. Of course, I’m a shoe so no one manufacturers or purchases me for an imagination. I aspire to serve my owner so he will enjoy my life, I will enhance his and he will purchase more shoes just like me in the future. Stay tuned for my “N” adventures

You may remember my article about a geocache DNF. For those who need a refresher it means I searched for a cache but did not find it. The only thing worse is failureX2 or the repeat search with the same not found result. When I don’t find a cache, I’m reluctant to return because I don’t want a second disappointment but I can’t stand not finding one others have found. It’s a no-win situation unless you return and actually FIND the cache. I call this phenomenon the Gotcha! Continue reading →

It seems like yesterday, but two years ago I received my 4th summons for jury duty. I never served so I was excited at the opportunity to serve on a jury with my peers to assess the plaintiff and defendant’s position.

On that milestone day, I was juror #31 and the legal teams selected 13 jurors, the last of which was 2 jurors ahead of me but the court dismissed me during the screening. Some may call it a near hit or too close for comfort, but I was always a little disappointed.

Today I was juror #31 and either fate, the reprehensible jurors in front of me or the legal team selected me as juror 10 of 13. Now I get the chance to see life from inside the juror’s box.

It wasn’t my Miss America moment, but it’s still an experience worth sharing. However, the judge swore us to secrecy until the jury reaches a verdict so my juror’s inside-view will have to wait.